Lewis Stumbles but Holds Slender Lead in Thailand
American Stacy Lewis stumbled in the third round of the Honda LPGA Thailand but an eagle on the back nine was enough to secure her a one-stroke lead heading into Sunday.
Players battled through a hot, humid day at the Sime Country Club on Saturday. Lewis who started the day three clear of the limited field, struggled on the front nine with four bogeys and couldn’t get much of anything going. Thanks to an eagle on 15, she escaped today with a +1 over 73 and feels fortunate to be in this position.
Lewis is at 13-under-par and one clear of South Korean Amy Yang (71), with Germany’s Sandra Gal outright third at 11-under-par. Gal had one of the best round of the day in the trying conditions, a four-under-par, 68. South Koreans Mirim Lee and Jenny Shin share place at 10-under-par, whilst Yani Tseng is a further two back. South Korean Chella Choi, American Mo Martin and South African Lee-Anne Pace round out the top 10 at seven-under-par.
Karrie Webb, who continues to be the best performing Australian, had an up and down day. The Queenslander started the day well, with three birdies in her opening nine holes to make the turn at six-under-par. However an uncharacteristic start to the back nine, bogey, double bogey, bogey, saw her fall back down the leaderboard. The true champion that she is fought back with two late birdies on the 15th and 17th holes to eventual sign for a one-under-par 71. Webb is at four-under-par and tied for 21st.
Katherine Kirk is the only other Australian in this week’s limited field event and she is well back in a tie for 64th place at nine-over-par.
Rolex World No.3 Lewis is seeking her 12th career LPGA win on Sunday and first since the 2014 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
Amy Yang has finished in the top-5 in three of the last four tournaments she has played in dating back to the 2014 Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship. Yang had five top-10 and three top-5 finishes all year in 2014, and is looking for her second career win with her only win coming at the 2013 LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship. Whilst Gal is also looking to capture her second LPGA title as well.